NHTSA — Exterior Lighting: Headlights Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Pontiac Sunfire lights problems

lights problem

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1997 Pontiac Sunfire Owner Comments

problem #5

Nov 252004

Sunfire 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While the vehicle was parked consumer noticed that the right headlight was inoperative. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the headlight needed to be replaced and replaced it. However, the problem recurred.

- Bay City, MI, USA

problem #4

Jun 142003

Sunfire

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
The headlights on my 1997 Pontiac Sunfire vehicle are so dim, I cannot drive my car at night. It looks like I am driving with flashlights. I was told by a mechanic at sunland Pontiac dealership, el paso, tx that there was nothing they could do. I told them the headlights have always been to dim on my vehicle. I told them I wanted new headlight assembly with brighter bulbs or higher wattage. I was told that they did not have any new head light assembly that contained brighter bulb, or higher wattage, and there was nothing else they could do. I complained every time I took my car in for maintenace. Incident date is approximate date. They will have it on record. Also, I am having problems with my ignition switch again. It is very hard to turn to start the car. You have to hold it in a certain position for it to start, sometimes it will star, and sometimes it won't. there was a recall on this. I have had many problems with my car, every since I purchased it brand new in 1997. I filled out a form and sent it to the dealership and gmac about all the problems I was having and they never responded to my complaints. I can E-mail you a copy of the complaint form I sent to them. The most disturbing defect about the car is that you can see the loose wiring behind the steering wheel connected to the dash. The mechanic where I purchased the car told me that all of the 1997 5 speed Sunfires came like that from the manufacture. So, they put in a piece of black foam, so I would no longer see the wiring. This is a fire hazard. If I had know then, what I know now, I would have given the car back to them, and demanded my $3,000 down payment back. I would appreciate any assistance you can give me to correct the defects and problems that I am having with this car. Thank you.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #3

Feb 172003

Sunfire

  • miles
Consumer states that while driving the vehicle and no warning the vehicle head lights turned off. Dealer notified.

- Charleston, WV, USA

problem #2

Apr 152000

Sunfire

  • miles
Driving down the road in the evening hours and lights failed. The lights quit working and found out by putting something behind the dimmer switch that the lights would come back on. Took the vehicle to the dealer and they replaced the switch in April 2000 however in Dec 2000 the same switch has failed again. I have contacted Pontiac customer service and was told that due to the mileage it was my resposibility to repair. Due to the fact that I paid approximately $170 in April 2000 I feel that the manufacturer should be able to aid in getting this repaired at no charge to me.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #1

Mar 011998

Sunfire

  • miles
Tires completey exploded and eventually replaced the rims, and since the third time I have not had any problems with the tires. I had to have a complete set of brakes put on, which I had to pay for. I am now having to face paying over $1000 for a new transmission, the headlights had problems not even a month after I got the car. The radiator had a whole in it from a screw that came loose from under the hood and it was shot back up into the radiator, they goodwilled this.( dot number: )

- Oak Lawn, IL, USA

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